Choosing the Perfect Air Conditioning Repair Company | Skip to main content

 

When choosing an HVAC contractor, it’s important to do your research. It can mean the difference between getting someone who knows what they are doing and having an air conditioner that will last for years versus someone who is going to rip you off or only make temporary repairs. If you are having air conditioner problems, you need to do your research. Here are a few tips for choosing the right HVAC company.

Check the Customer Reviews

Custom Air Systems Reviews

Before you hire an HVAC company to do any AC repair or AC installation, read the customer reviews. You can find out quite a bit about how a company treats their customers just by reading the comments on their Facebook page or Googling their business name.

You may also want to check out their Better Business Bureau rating. You can find any disputes customers have had with the company and how (or if) the company handled them and whether or not the customers were satisfied with the company’s response.

Check Industry Certifications

HVAC technicians should be licensed and certified to work on your home (or any other) air conditioning unit. Licensing is a sign that a company is trustworthy, and its staff is honest. Many services say they are licensed and certified when they really aren’t. In fact, in some cases, the “company” is simply two con artists and a truck with a sticker on it.

To make sure you’re getting quality work and someone who knows what they are doing, make sure the company has hired technicians that are NATE-certified. This ensures that the technician conducting AC repair knows what they are doing.

Other certifications impact safety and should be considered when choosing your HVAC company. The three most common certifications are:

  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
  • American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Making sure a company is licensed means if something goes wrong, or the job wasn’t done properly, you can take action by contacting the state licensing board. You also want to make sure the company is bonded. To get a license, the company has to be bonded, so it’s another way to make sure the company is legitimately licensed.

Always ask a company you are considering what their licensing information is. If they don’t give it freely, or worse, refuse to give it to you, hang up the phone. It’s not worth the headache.

Get a Written Estimate or Bid

Any legitimate HVAC company will give you a written estimate of the amount the work will cost. But be wary of any HVAC company that offers to provide you with a quote over the phone without looking at your air conditioner or your home in person.

You’ll want to get itemized estimates from several companies to get the best deal. You’ll also want to ask about each company’s warranty and whether or not you can purchase an extended warranty if you are purchasing a new unit.

You should also ask about any maintenance costs that will be required to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. The company should be able to give you an AC maintenance schedule and an idea of what the upkeep will be. They should also be able to estimate your annual cooling and heating costs and offer energy star certified equipment.

Make Sure the Estimate is Done Right

When the technician comes to your home to give you an estimate, they should survey your home first. This includes looking at your current air-conditioning unit and checking your ductwork for any leaks, mold, or other problems. Looking at your home will also tell the technician what size air conditioner you will need if you are purchasing a new unit. Again, if the company tries to give you an estimate over the phone, find someone else.

Years of Experience

A legitimate HVAC company will have served your area for many years and be established in the community. A company that has been around for years typically has very experienced technicians who know how to do a job correctly so that your AC unit will run efficiently for years to come.

AC repair services always seem to crop up in the hottest months of the year, which is why we offer 24 hour AC repair in Houston. Contact us today for more information about upgrading your current HVAC system or doing your annual HVAC maintenance. Whatever your HVAC needs are, we’ve got you covered.

(281) 466-4297